 Nissan Pino. Click image to enlarge |
Article and photos by Bob McHugh
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Nissan 360
Lisbon, Portugal – In what could be called a “global smorgasbord”, Nissan brought journalists from all over the world to Lisbon to see and drive the company’s vehicles from around the world: there were sixty of them in total: big diesel delivery trucks to micro mini cars were all lined-up with keys in the ignition, just a begging to be driven. The “in betweens” included a Japanese taxi cab called Cedric and Nissan’s new super-car the high-performance GT-R.
This two-day event was split into segments and there was even stuff for tech-heads, like myself. These included interactive displays on Nissan’s latest by-wire technology, the Mixim electric concept car, plus some intriguing new safety and green technologies.
Nissan has adapted a holistic approach to its environmental responsibilities. In addition to its “green car” development work, it is also working on greening its production process and has an ambitious plan to achieve an end-of-life recoverability rate (by weight) of 95-percent, for all Nissan vehicles.
A (recycled paper) certificate to prove that a tree was planted (with global position co-ordinates) to erase my carbon footprints to this event, was in my hotel room on arrival. In addition, I was told that Nissan purchased carbon credits to offset the entire 360 event. Even if you’re skeptical about this concept, you have to applaud the effort.
The development of electric vehicles is getting particular attention from Nissan. It plans to have EV demonstration fleets in operation by the end of 2010 in both Japan and the US and expects to have electric vehicles commercially available two years later.
 Nissan Mixim. Click image to enlarge |
The Mixim, a three-seat concept electric vehicle was on show. The driver sits in central and more-forward position, with passenger seats on either side. The seats pivot to the side for easy entry/exit and an occasional fourth seat can also be installed.
The Mixim weighs-in at just 950 kg and the front and rear wheels are powered by separate electric motor/generators. It uses compact lithium-ion batteries and claims a driving range of 250 km. The steering wheel and controls are inspired by computer game interfaces.
By far the most popular group of vehicles on hand were Nissan’s selection of mini cars: cute little cars with cute little names like, Pino, Otti, Moco, Cube and one once familiar to Canadians – Micra.
   From top: Nissan Otti, Cube and Micra. Click image to enlarge |
Pino: A collaborative venture with Suzuki, Pino is made and sold in Japan. It has a simple design that apparently projects “user-friendliness”. If not, perhaps its low price and ultra low fuel consumption (21.5 km/litre) does. The interior is basic but big doors make ingress/egress easy and a tight turning radius makes Pino an easy vehicle to drive and park in the city.
Otti: Another collaborative venture, this time with Mitsubishi. The Otti is also made in Japan where it outsells the Pino by a considerable margin. A 660-cc three-cylinder engine provides a whopping 50-horsepower. That sliding side door must be a huge selling feature.
Cube: Made in Japan, Cube looks like – a cube. The pay-off is an amazingly spacious interior and a huge back door allows maximum use of it. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine offers 107-horsepower and spirited performance. A stretched version, called the Cube Cubic actually offers three rows of seating. Rumour has it that Cube is coming to the U.S. for the ‘09 model year.
Micra: My favourite Nissan mini car. Made in Sunderland, England, the Micra is currently Nissan’s best-selling car in Europe. Built on the first shared platform within the Renault-Nissan Alliance, it comes in three and five door hatchback models, as well as a two-door hard-top convertible called the C+C. A fun little car to drive, Micra buyers have a choice of four small engines, including a diesel.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance goes back to 1999 and the lopsided partnership between the two companies appears to be working. Renault owns 44.4% of Nissan, while Nissan has a 15% stake in Renault.
The alliance shares common goals and has led to platform and powertrain sharing, plus combined purchasing advantages, yet both companies have distinct identities and brands. How well is it working? Combined Renault and Nissan vehicle sales were a record 6,160,046 units or 9.1 percent of the global automotive market in calendar year 2007.
  2009 Nissan Murano (top) and Maxima. Click image to enlarge |
Among those on show at 360 were two new ‘09 Nissan models, the just-released Murano and yet-to-be-released Maxima.
The second generation Murano offers new exterior and interior styling and it’s built on a new advanced D-platform, first introduced on the 2007 Altima. A VQ-series 3.5-litre V6 rated at 265-horsepower provides power and it’s mated to a second-generation CVT (auto transmission) with ASC (adaptive shift control).
The ‘09 Maxima is the seventh generation of Nissan’s flagship sedan. Made in Smyrna, Tennessee (USA), Maxima is designed to be a four-door sports car. Nissan calls its new exterior design theme “Liquid Motion” and describes as “a powerful and beautiful surface, like the undulation of a wave.” A new Elite Package includes a fixed, full centre console that creates four seating positions.
The km/litre fuel consumption figures used in this article are based on a Japanese government test. They may differ with Canadian fuel economy test results, which are expressed in litres/100 km.
Next week, I’ll introduce you to the Wingroad, Clipper, Elgrand, Kubistar and a few other interesting Nissans, as well as Nissan’s new performance superstar the GT-R.